Its Power by R. A. Underwood

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 21, 1912

Its Power

By R. A. Underwood

Prayer—No. 1

Its Power

R. A. UNDERWOOD

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” Luke 11:1.

The manner of Christ’s prayer impressed the disciples with the great need of entering into the audience-chamber of the Almighty to commune with their God. However, a form of words repeated does not constitute prayer. Who can estimate the value of prayer in the secret place, in the public congregation, in silence, and at the family altar?

Man in his insane revelry at times ridicules prayer, but human experience shows that all men at times pray. It may be in a great disaster, like the sinking of the “Titanic,” or it may be in the hour of helpless despair, that men call upon God. The Ruler of the universe invites man to come to him in prayer, with the assurance that whatsoever we ask in faith, in his name, we shall receive. John 14:13.

Prayer is the key in the hand of faith to unlock heaven’s storehouse of almighty power. The man who walks with God will often be in the secret place communing with his Lord. John G. Paton, who gave thirty years of his life to carry the gospel to the cannibals of the South Sea islands, speaks of his godly father and of the effect produced on his own life by his father’s prayers in the closet, as follows:—

“We occasionally heard the pathetic echoes of a trembling voice pleading as for life, and we learned to slip out and in past that door on tiptoe, not to disturb the holy colloquy. Never in temple or cathedral, on mountain or in glen, can I hope to feel that the Lord God is more near, more visibly walking and talking with men, than under that humble cottage roof of thatch and oaken wattles. Though everything else in religion were by some unthinkable catastrophe to be swept out of memory or blotted from my understanding, my soul would wander back to those early scenes, and shut itself up once again in that sanctuary closet, and, hearing still the echoes of those cries to God, would hurl back all doubt with the victorious appeal, ‘He walketh with God; why not I?’”

Many of the readers of the REVIEW know by experience that God answers prayer. For our encouragement the Lord has given in the Bible many remarkable experiences in answer to prayer. I note a few of these:—

Through prayer, peace was made between two brothers. Gen. 32: 9-28; 33: 1-4.
Angels were commissioned to bring light and deliverance in answer to prayer. Dan. 2: 16-19; 9: 21-23.
Through prayer, the heavens were stayed from rain, and again rain descended in answer to prayer. I Kings 17, 18; James 5: 17, 18.
In answer to prayer, men were sent to minister to those who were seeking light. Acts 9: 10-17; 10.
The remarkable experience of Cornelius and Peter was in answer to the prayer of both Cornelius and Peter. Acts 10: 1-19, 30-33.
Peter was delivered from prison in answer to the prayers of the church. Acts 12: 5-12.
Prayer caused a mighty earthquake, and opened the prison doors to Paul and Silas; it was also the means of the conversion of the jailer and his family. Acts 16: 25-33.
The sick are healed in answer to the prayer of faith. James 5: 13-16.
Tabitha was raised from death in answer to prayer. Acts 9: 36-41.
The prayer of faith, with the confession of sins, brought the early rain on the day of Pentecost. Acts 1: 13, 14; 2: 1.
The latter rain that ripens the harvest comes as a result of prayer and the forsaking of sin. Zech. 10: 1; Acts 4: 31-33.

Public Prayer

“When ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.” Matt. 6:7, 8. Repetitions and long prayers are out of place in public and at the family altar. Children, men, and angels are wearied by them.

Two or three minutes is long enough for any ordinary public prayer. Christ’s public prayers were always brief and concise. There is but one place where long prayers are in place; namely, in the secret chamber where the soul is alone with God.

It was common for Christ to go “apart” into a “solitary place” to pray,

or to arise a great while before day to go into the mountains to pray. In these places he often continued all night in prayer to God. See Matt. 14: 23; Mark 1: 35; Luke 6: 12. If we prayed more in secret, like Jacob (Gen. 32: 24-28), our public prayers would not be so long, but more effectual.

Christ’s manner of prayer is given to us as an example. Let us examine one of Christ’s public prayers. The occasion was one of great sorrow. Christ had informed the disciples that Lazarus was dead, and that he was going to awake him from the sleep of death. Christ had often visited the humble home of Lazarus and his sisters. As he now approached the little village of Bethany, Martha met him with weeping, and said, “Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” Amid the wail of mourning friends, Christ assured her that Lazarus should arise, and then made his way to the tomb. After requesting those standing by to roll away the stone from the mouth of the grave, Christ offered the following prayer: “Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.” Then he called, “Lazarus, come forth.” John 11: 41-43.

This is a great prayer, but it occupies only a few seconds of time. However, it presents seven distinct essentials in prevailing public prayer:—

It begins with thanksgiving.
It gives expression to perfect, abiding faith.
It is offered for the sake of the people, that they might believe.
It is brief.
It makes a definite request.
It is concise, with no repetitions.
It was effectual in bringing results, even the raising of the dead.

Mesopotamia, Ohio.